Women Who Ride a Motorcycle Are Happier Than Those Who Don't

New study reveals a motorcycle increases one's self satisfaction

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Soon, women everywhere will be thinking about New Year's resolutions they could make to live a more fulfilled life in 2014 and beyond. Once they make those resolutions, they may turn to self-help books, fad diets and online advice to try and make them a reality. But who knew that the key to happiness might be where women least expect – out on the open road, and on two wheels.

A new study shows that women who ride their own motorcycles are noticeably happier—in life, in relationships, and even in the bedroom—than women who don't ride. "I definitely see this to be true in my work as founder and editor of WomenRidersNow.com (WRN)," said Genevieve Schmitt. "As the leading resource for women motorcyclists, we receive lots of stories from women riders, and its quite evident they feel happy, fulfilled and are enjoying life to the fullest."

The study, conducted by Kelton and commissioned by Harley-Davidson, interviewed 1,013 adult female riders and 1,016 adult female non-riders, and the findings make it clear that riding a motorcycle greatly improves a woman's feelings of overall self-worth. Key insights surrounding women who ride motorcycles in comparison to those who don't include the following:

• More than twice as many always feel happy (37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders) • Nearly four times as many always feel sexy (27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders) • Nearly twice as many always feel confident (35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders)

According to the study, more than half (53 percent) of women who ride cite their motorcycle as a key source of happiness and nearly three in four (74 percent) believe their lives have improved since they started riding. "Riding a motorcycle is the ultimate form of freedom and self-expression, so it makes sense that women riders are happier in life and, in general, feel more fulfilled," said Claudia Garber, Director of Women's Outreach for Harley-Davidson. "That's why learning to ride a motorcycle is the perfect gift you can give yourself and the best resolution to make for a truly life-changing new year."

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is a popular motorcycle for beginning women riders who want to ride a sportier ride.

WomenRidersNow.com (WRN), the leading online motorcycle resource for women
riders, has the most comprehensive beginner's guide on the web for women
interested in getting into riding. While women and men ride for the same reasons, women approach the activity differently than men often wrestling with notions in their head on why they should, or shouldn't ride. The WRN's Beginner's Guide addresses all of those issues and provides solutions to help women get in the saddle of their own motorcycle. Riding Improves RelationshipsBeyond positively impacting a woman's sense of self, the study also shows riding can improve relationships. When it comes to romance, women who ride leave non-riders in their dust, being more content with:

Stress can cause tension between significant others, but since more than a third (34 percent) of women riders report that they now feel less stressed after starting to ride, it's not surprising that 50 percent of them are extremely satisfied with the state of their current relationships.

The Harley-Davidson Female Riders Survey was conducted by Kelton, a leading global insights firm, May 20 to May 28, 2013 among 1,013 adult American women who ride motorcycles sometimes or regularly and 1,016 adult American women who never ride motorcycles, using an email invitation and an online survey. Harley-Davidson has a site dedicated to women motorcycles and can be found at h-d.com/women.

Reader Comments

Good article!

Linda Curry Hovland
Creswell, OR
Thursday, January 17, 2019

Well, I just wanted to say love the articles but I have found as an experienced rider, from dirt bikes to street bikes (I ride sleds, four-wheelers, dirt, water, etc. and currently own a Kawasaki 600, Honda CBR 1000RR, and Harley Sportster) that it is only common for these bikes you listed as the most popular top ten beginner bikes to be popular because someone else recommended them as beginner bikes. They should be listed as city bikes top ten and suburban bikes top 10 and the ones your husband/boyfriend/partner didn’t pick out for you. I find it’s common that the Kawaski 300 is popular for beginners but the Kawaski 600 should be listed as the best beginner suburban bike for women; and the Sportster 883, not the Kawasaki 300. Problem is after you learn how to ride these bikes are not suitable; if you're going to spend a few thousand dollars get a bike you can learn on and then keep riding on, the bike you became comfortable on is always the best bike to ride that first few summers. Not purchasing the smaller bike then buying another and learning again.

I've heard guys complaining to the other men how he has to wait up for his partner—keep in mind he is riding a 600 or bigger but his partner is on a 300. It becomes frustrating and then causes issues. I see this on sled, motorcycles and other outdoor activities. In order to want to ride and to have a better time with the experience, don’t settle for what they say you should have—talk to a women rider like myself. I would tell you depending on your riding style and where you're riding what works. It’s different if you buy a bike to zip around a city and to work then to ride across state lines on an adventure with a group.

Kathi
South Hero, VT
Friday, April 6, 2018

Editor Response

We generally recommend small, lightweight, easy to handle motorcycles to learn on because it offers the safest, most confidence-inspiring way to learn. I've rarely heard riders complain they wasted their money on a small cc motorcycle to start with, as there is always a new rider ready to purchase it. Once you have outgrown the small bike, it's pretty easy to sell it and buy a larger motorcycle.

If you are riding with other riders who are not patient enough to wait for you without complaining, I recommend finding a new riding buddy.Tricia Szulewski, Associate Editor

Sounds like Janice is on the wrong website. I love my four motos and my life has changed dramatically for the better since I started riding! I am present—there is no "what if" or "what was" when I ride. There is me and what is, right now. I am a much happier girl! I'd say this article fits me to a tee. Fortunately, my husband does not ride. It's a solo endeavor.

A of SB
Santa Carbara, CA
Friday, October 7, 2016

This article is ridiculous. It sounds like a feminine protection commercial written by a man. As a 37-year riding veteran, reading this only makes me think that you haven't got a clue why women ride. And Harley Davidson, the misogynist manufacturer that uses Marissa Miller, who doesn't even ride? Surveys? You clearly don't understand yourself. Riding doesn't make a woman have better sex, just more because it's a male fantasy, or she gets a new man. Riding can't make you happy, only you can. Get a grip.

Janice
Toronto, ON, Canada
Friday, June 26, 2015

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